Imagine gathering your favorite people together and heading off to summer camp – spending a weekend making s’mores around the campfire, exploring winding trails, exchanging vows under towering trees, and creating joyful memories with your loved ones. This is what it’s like to have a wedding at IslandWood — a celebration that feels relaxed, meaningful, adventurous, and full of heart, set against the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. In this post, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know about having a wedding at IslandWood on Bainbridge Island!

About IslandWood

IslandWood is best known as an environmental education nonprofit that helps people of all ages connect with nature through hands-on, outdoor experiences. It also happens to be a beautiful and peaceful place to get married. Located on over 250 acres of forest, meadows, and wetlands on Bainbridge Island, IslandWood gives guests the chance to slow down, explore the outdoors, and enjoy meaningful time together—whether they’re here for a school program, a retreat, or a wedding weekend.

Where is IslandWood and How to Get There

IslandWood is located on Bainbridge Island – a short ferry ride away from downtown Seattle. It’s an 11-minute drive from the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal. This ferry route doesn’t take reservations, so make sure to get to the Seattle terminal very early. On busy summer weekends, I’ll often take the Fauntleroy to Southworth ferry instead. It’s a longer drive, but this route usually means a significantly shorter wait in the ferry line (and less worry of missing the boat). Even with a ferry commute, IslandWood is pretty easy to get to yet feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Riding aboard the Washington State Ferries is also such a classic Seattle experience for out-of-town guests!

Why Have Your Wedding at IslandWood

If you’re looking for a wedding venue that’s beautiful, relaxed, and truly all-in-one, IslandWood is hard to beat. It offers the chance to spend an entire weekend with your favorite people in one place—no driving between venues, no rushing around, just time to actually enjoy it all. From cozy lodging and incredible food to unique ceremony spots and helpful staff, IslandWood makes it easy to create a wedding that feels personal, grounded, and full of connection. Below are my top reasons to host your wedding at IslandWood.

1. It’s Like a Fancy Summer Camp for Adults

A wedding at IslandWood offers an environment that invites you to slow down and savor every second. It really feels like summer camp for adults, where you can leave everyday worries behind and enjoy the the simple, carefree feeling of childhood summers. IslandWood offers activities for your guests including a bird habitat hike, a sustainable design tour, a trip to the top of the canopy tower, lawn games, and a fancy s’mores spread at the bonfire. Plus there are plenty of chances to just explore. The shared experiences, sense of adventure, and connection to nature all create a fun and welcoming summer camp vibe for everyone.

2. Quintessential Pacific Northwest Beauty

IslandWood is a perfect snapshot of what makes the Pacific Northwest so special. Forests, meadows, trails, and treehouses make for a stunning backdrop, and your guests will experience the magic of the PNW in a way that feels peaceful, immersive, and memorable.

3. Host an Eco-Friendly Wedding & Support IslandWood’s Environmental Mission

One of the best parts about getting married at IslandWood is knowing your wedding helps support a good cause. IslandWood is a nonprofit organization focused on environmental education, working to connect kids and communities with nature. The site fee goes toward funding those programs, so while you’re celebrating, you’re also helping make outdoor education more accessible for future generations. It’s a great way to make your wedding feel even more meaningful. Hosting your wedding at IslandWood is also a simple way to reduce your celebration’s environmental impact. From composting food waste to using renewable energy sources, IslandWood strives to minimize its environmental footprint and promote responsible stewardship of the land.

4. Incredibly Helpful Event Planners

The event coordinators at IslandWood are truly some of the most helpful venue staff I’ve ever worked with. While they’re not full-service wedding planners, they come pretty close—helping with everything from timelines and menu planning to room layouts, guest lodging, and coordinating with IslandWood’s food, hospitality, and AV teams. They’re organized, communicative, and genuinely invested in making sure your weekend goes smoothly. It makes a big difference to have someone so capable handling the logistics on the venue side, so you can focus more on enjoying your time with the people you love.

5. The Food & Drink

The meals I’ve had at IslandWood are truly some of my all-time favorite wedding food! Chef Jim White is an absolute magician in the kitchen! The kitchen prioritizes seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, so the food feels thoughtful and grounded in the place you’re in. The menu is completely customized to your tastes, and they’re amazing at working with diverse flavors and traditions. Saturday’s lunch is a relaxed buffet that gives everyone a chance to gather and refuel, while the wedding dinner is usually served family-style, which makes the meal feel warm, social, and connected.

Planning Your IslandWood Wedding

Planning your wedding at IslandWood is a chance to create a weekend that feels personal, relaxed, and truly connected to nature. In this section, I’ll walk you through the basics—like where your ceremony and reception can take place, what the food and drink experience is like, and how lodging works for you and your guests. Whether you’re planning something simple or more elaborate, IslandWood gives you the space, support, and natural beauty to make it all come together in a way that feels just right for you.

Event Spaces & Photo Locations

Creaky Tree Meadow – Creaky Tree Meadow is a peaceful, open meadow surrounded by trees—a magical spot for an outdoor ceremony under the trees. With its natural beauty, it offers a simple, serene setting that doesn’t need much decorating. Guest capacity: 250

The Great Hall – With high ceilings, wood beams, and a large stage, the Great Hall is the go-to spot for open dancing. It’s also a ceremony rain back-up plan that is so nice it won’t feel like a back-up plan. Guest capacity: 175

The Dining Hall – The Dining Hall is where everyone comes together to share meals. It’s spacious, warm, and filled with natural light from big windows that look out onto the meadow and surrounding forest. Meals are usually served family-style, making it feel cozy and inviting. Guest capacity: 200

Dining Hall Meadow / Back Patio – Just outside the Dining Hall, this open meadow is a flexible outdoor space for cocktail hour, lawn games, or a beautiful outdoor dinner. Guest capacity: 250

The Welcome Center – The Welcome Center is the first stop for guests arriving at IslandWood. It’s a lodge-style space where people can check in, get their bearings, and start to settle into the weekend. It sets a warm, welcoming tone for everything that follows. It’s also a great spot to offer desserts and cut the cake while transitioning from dinner in the Dining Hall to dancing in the Great Hall. The Welcome Center is often used as a meeting spot before family photos, as well as a cocktail hour rain plan. Guest capacity: 175

Friendship Circle – The Friendship Circle is an outdoor amphitheater-style space with benches and a central fire pit. It’s perfect for welcome gatherings, s’mores (check out the incredible s’mores station below!), slideshows, guest talent shows, or winding down after a big day. It’s simple, natural, and brings everyone together in a meaningful way. AV equipment available including, portable sound system, wi-fi, projector, and screen. and Guest capacity: 100

The Garden – The working garden is full of herbs, vegetables, and native plants, and often used in the meals prepared at IslandWood. It’s a lovely, quiet place to wander through, especially in the spring and summer, and a nice reminder of the care that goes into every part of the IslandWood experience. The garden also includes a pizza oven and a covered area great for a welcome dinner, cocktail hour, or reception for smaller weddings. Guest capacity: 60

Suspension Bridge – The suspension bridge is one of those features guests remember long after the weekend is over. It stretches through the trees high above the forest floor, offering a quiet, slightly adventurous walk with great views of the ravine below. It’s a fun place to explore during downtime. It’s also one of my favorite spots for photos!

Treehouses – Surrounded by tall trees and the sounds of nature, the two treehouses are quiet little hideaways nestled in the forest. They are fun spots to explore during a walk on the trails. Like a lot of things at IslandWood, they add a bit of wonder to the experience.

Guest Cottage – The Guest Cottage is a comfortable and private space for the couple. It includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a cozy sitting area with a fireplace, and a small kitchen. It’s a quiet retreat tucked away from the main lodges, giving you a little breathing room while still being close to all the action.

Art Studio – I’ve seen the Art Studio used for so many different purposes, including yoga classes, guest art projects, signing the marriage license, having a Tisch, and assembling floral arrangements.

Living Machine – This is a fun spot for portraits… And it’s also a wastewater treatment plant!

Lodging at IslandWood

One of the biggest perks of having your wedding at IslandWood is that everyone can stay right on site—no extra travel, no hotel juggling, just a relaxed, all-in-one experience. Up to 200 guests can stay in four rustic but comfortable lodges, each with a great room for gathering around the fireplace, playing games, or just catching up. Lodge rooms have private bathrooms with separate areas for the shower, vanity, and toilet, and beds are made with soft, organic cotton bedding. There are also ADA-accessible rooms on each lodge’s main floor to make sure everyone’s accommodated.

IslandWood Wedding Wedding Cost

How Much Does it Cost to Get Married at IslandWood?

The cost of getting married at IslandWood can vary depending on a few key factors—like how many guests you’re inviting, what kind of spaces and amenities you’ll be using, and how much you want to customize your weekend. Because every wedding is a little different, the best way to get an accurate idea of pricing is to reach out directly to the event planning team at IslandWood. They’re super friendly, helpful, and happy to walk you through the options so you can figure out what works best for your plans and your budget.

What’s Included in Your IslandWood Wedding Package

When you book your wedding at IslandWood, the site usage fee covers a lot of what you’ll need for the weekend, including:

• Exclusive access to IslandWood’s event spaces from Friday evening through Sunday morning
• A private two-bedroom Guest Cottage for the couple during the weekend
• Use of the trails and natural areas across the 250-acre property
• AV support for music, speeches, and entertainment
• A planning partner from IslandWood’s event team to help guide the details
• Personalized menu planning with the in-house catering team
• All the reception basics: tables, chairs, linens, dishes, and flatware
• Your choice of three nature-based activities for guests
• A buffet lunch on Saturday for all attending guests
• S’mores around the fire pit in the outdoor amphitheater
• Support with ceremony rehearsal and day-of coordination
• Professional hospitality, bar, and service staff on-site
• Setup and breakdown of all IslandWood-provided event furnishings
• Free parking for all guests throughout the weekend
• A list of trusted vendors familiar with the venue

It’s a well-rounded package that helps take the pressure off and lets you focus on enjoying time with your people in a truly special place.

Hiring Your IslandWood Wedding Photographer

Hiring me to photograph your wedding at IslandWood means you’ll have someone behind the camera who knows the venue inside and out. I usually tell couples that it’s not essential for a photographer to have worked at your venue before—but IslandWood is a bit of an exception. It’s a big, beautiful place with a lot of unique details, and having photographed more than ten weddings there, I’ve learned all the ins and outs that can really make a difference. I know exactly how much extra time we’ll need to build in for portraits, where to find those tucked-away, beautiful spots for photos, and how the light changes across Creaky Tree Meadow throughout the day and seasons. I know the best places for family photos, where to catch the perfect golden hour light, and how to navigate the space without needing to stop to reference a map. I also love working with IslandWood’s amazing event team and understand how they like to coordinate with vendors, which helps everything run a little more smoothly. My goal is to capture your wedding in a way that feels natural, honest, and true to you, so you can look back and remember not just how it looked, but how it all felt.

IslandWood Wedding Inspiration

Getting married at IslandWood is about more than just finding a beautiful venue—it’s about creating a weekend that feels meaningful, relaxed, and rooted in nature. With everything in one place—ceremony spots, reception spaces, overnight lodging, and good food—you and your guests can truly settle in and enjoy the time together. Whether you’re drawn to the peaceful forest setting, the thoughtful approach to hospitality, or the chance to unplug and connect, IslandWood offers a wedding experience that’s both memorable and down-to-earth.

Want to see more? Check out these real IslandWood weddings:
An IslandWood Wedding with a Summer Camp Vibe
Multi-Cultural Wedding at IslandWood
A Community-Centered IslandWood Wedding
A Multi-day Wedding on Bainbridge Island